dungeness valley creamery – Harmonious Belly

September 8, 2011September 5, 2011

Washington State Cheeses

While I was in Washington last month, I stopped at Pan D’Amore, a wonderful bakery in Port Townsend. They sell all sorts of things (flourless chocolate cookie, yum), including cheeses made by the Mr. Townsend Creamery, located on the other side of town. I wanted to go to the Creamery originally, but our timing and their open hours didn’t match. So, I picked up a few things at the bakery instead.

Good thing, too, as I’ve never seen the Cougar Gold (made by Washington State University Creamery) at the Mr. Townsend Creamery. It was fantastic – very sharp and crumbly. The Seastack (I often kid around and call it “Sleestak“) is a soft ripened cheese, and the Trailhead is a tomme. These last two are still in my freezer, to be enjoyed at a near future later date.

I also bought some raw milk cheese called Jewel, from the Dungeness Valley Creamery, which is also very tasty. It’s basically a medium-sharp cheddar.

I am a big fan of local and artisanal cheeses, so having these on hand makes me happy!

August 17, 2011September 2, 2011

Visiting the Dungeness Valley Creamery

While I was in Washington State, I got to visit the Dungeness Valley Creamery. This is the farm on the Olympic Peninsula that produces the raw milk I drink when I’m out there. I’ve always enjoyed its richness and flavor, and I was itching to visit the farm – last time I tried to do that it was this past Thanksgiving and we were totally snowed in. Freak snowstorm – there was no way we would be venturing out to Sequim at that point.

Thankfully, this time we had good weather – it was much cooler than I was used to (and I was glad it was cooler) – so we made our way to Sequim.

We were greeted by a bunch of calves hanging out in little one room hotel pens.

They were all in good spirits and were happy to nuzzle and lick our hands or whatever was in their way. Really sweet and friendly little (that’s relative) creatures. It was fun to interact with them.

There were some adult cows nearby, too.

They were a bit more nonchalant and content to hang out and observe us. But then at one point, they really wanted to lick my hand while I was petting them, and it was then and there that I realized just how huge cow tongues are.

I was also interested to see where the cows are pastured, and we found the pasture out on the other side of the entrance.

The cows were just hanging out there, relaxing. It was nice to see them out in the fresh air and not confined. The grass is really green and grows in thick rounds – I’m sure it looks delicious to the cows.

In the wintertime they eat hay from the Leitz family Hay Company in Sequim, who gets their hay from eastern Washington. They also feed their cows a little bit of grain, but no soy or corn, only a mixture of wheat, barley, oats, molasses, and minerals. They do not give their cows antibiotics, hormones, cottonseed – not even corn or canola oil! Thank goodness. Their website FAQ explains a bit more as to why they include grains in the cow’s diet. I’ve personally never had a negative reaction to their milk.

I stopped at the little farm store and bought some raw cheddar (“Jewel”) and a bar of goat milk soap, which smells like roses. So pretty – I do love the way goat milk soap feels on my skin, and this stuff smells amazing, too.

I’m really glad I was able to check out the Dungeness Valley Creamery. It’s so awesome to see where our food comes from – I hope to do more of this here in NY, too.

This post is participating in Real Food Wednesday, hosted by Kelly the Kitchen Kop, and Simple Lives Thursday, hosted by GNOWFGLINS.

December 8, 2010September 2, 2011

Food Fun in Washington State – Better Living Through Coffee

While I was reading up on my raw milk purchasing opportunities (via the Real Milk site) in Washington, I came across a listing for a cafe in Port Townsend that offered raw milk as an option. I had never considered that there could be such a thing – needless to say, I was pretty excited!

That place is Better Living Through Coffee.

It’s very warm and cozy place, with great coffee, located downtown. I saw a number of people there relaxing and hanging out with their friends, which was a welcome sight (the local Starbucks by my house recently remodeled their interior with unfriendly seating, so I noticed the comfort level here right off the bat).

According to their website, they serve “traditionally prepared, nutrient-dense food and baked items”, and that is absolutely true. They are sympathetic to Nourishing Traditions and the work of Weston A. Price (not to mention Sally Fallon). A lot of their food is locally sourced, too – meat, fish, dairy, flour – it’s all from around Washington. Their coffee comes from their sister company, the Port Townsend Coffee Roasting Company.

Up on the wall just outside the inner entrance, they’ve posted statements about why they do not serve soy, and their preference for whole and cultured dairy, both of which I support.

The drink I had was delicious – I think it was called a breve. It was basically a cappucino with extra cream in it! The milk itself was raw, from Dungeness Valley Creamery, but the cream was not – however it was non-homogenized, organic, and it was grass-fed. Total yum.

So nice to know there are places like this around. I sure wish there was something like this in New York City, but our current laws I am sure would not allow it.

Next time I’m in the area, I will go back for sure! And if you’re in the area and love coffee (or tea, not to mention sweet and savory treats), definitely give them a visit.

Better Living Through Coffee (BLT Coffee House)
100 Tyler Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360.385.3388
7am-6pm, Closed Tuesdays

November 29, 2010September 2, 2011

Food Fun in Washington State – Retail Raw Milk

I am back from Washington! I had a most excellent time, in part because I was simply able to take a break from the east coast rat race, and in part because I got to spend quality time with family. My boyfriend’s family is in WA, too, so it was lovely to spend time with them as well. I am originally from the West coast, so it felt great to be back on my home coast. I just love the West.

I had plans in mind to visit the Dungeness Valley Creamery to see the farm and meet farmers Jeff and Debbie Brown. But on Monday 11/22 a snowstorm descended upon the area and we got probably 4-6 inches of snow. It shut down pretty much everything in the area (snow like that is rare there), and icy roads remained for 3-4 days, so a visit to the farm was a bust. My hope is to visit next summer.

However, WA is progressive, and one can buy raw milk in stores. What a concept! I was able to purchase some of their milk at the Port Townsend Food Co-op, where my mom has a membership. Here’s a (cell phone) shot of the refrigerator shelves:

What a treat! It was so delicious – slightly grassier tasting than what I get in New York, but that was really a non-issue. I loved it. And I will miss the freedom of being able to just drop by and pick up a half gallon whenever I like. Maybe New York will get to that point one day. I hope so.

The other place I know where this milk is available is at the Chimacum Corner farm stand, south of Port Townsend. There’s a cafe in PT that offers raw milk as well! When I discovered that via the Real Milk site I was really excited to check them out. Look for more about them in a future post.